HS2 Monthly Report, May ’25

Works update

·      Construction of the initial section of the Wendover Green Tunnel just north of Ellesborough Road is progressing, and will be followed by the Northern section with excavation having now been consented by the EA.  Excavation of the Southern section through Bacombe Lane has also started.  The final section at Ellesborough Road may not start until 2026 as the area is being used extensively by mass haul dump trucks.

·      “Concrete pours” needed to stiffen the Small Dean Viaduct deck structure involved a long series of weekday A413 overnight and weekend Chiltern Rail closures.  Further closures are anticipated from September for installation of the parapets.

·      There may be a delay to the reopening of Rocky Lane from mid-August due to additional utility diversion works.  It is not clear if Leather Lane will still be available as a diversion route as a 14 month closure is needed by Align to build the new overbridge there.

Dobbins Lane Spring Chamber and HGV Access

·      HS2 have not yet decided how to progress the planning application for the “Spring Chamber” north of Dobbins Lane.  We understand that EKFB’s suggestion of “£10m’s of project delay costs” have been averted by the EA giving consent to progress the excavation for the Green Tunnel and North Cutting subject to completion of the Spring Chamber by the end of 2026.

Public Rights of Way

·      HS2 have issued a Warning Notice with maps of all the PRoW closures in the Wendover area.  This consolidated view is needed by Ridgeway and Aylesbury Ring walkers trying to navigate diversion routes around the multiple closures.  An online version is being developed which should enable public signage to be kept up to date.  

Parish Council activity

·      WPC wrote to Bucks Council in response to an HS2 “Schedule 17” planning submission about the Grove Farm Access Underbridge, seeking clarification of when a safe cycle route would be reinstated between Wendover and Dunsmore.  The House of Commons Select Committee decided that a route for “non-motorised users” of Small Dean Lane should be maintained during the HS2 works, but EKFB concluded that there was no reasonable alternative while the bridge at the north end of Small Dean Lane is being constructed.

·      An HS2 briefing was provided to Dean Field, our new Ward Councillor in preparation for a planning meeting with Greg Smith MP.

Public queries

·      HS2 brought their Mobile Visitor Centre van to the Farmers Market on 17th May, and had about 100 visitors.  Most of the enquiries were about the Green Tunnel with very few concerns about the Spring Chamber.  EKFB also support the WPC “Make Wendover Smile” campaign by handing out Sunflowers for replanting.

·      Seven public queries in the month, mainly questions about the Spring Chamber next steps.